Taylor "The Fearful Gymnast"

So...we have discovered though Tate loves gymnastics...in some events she is very fearful. On the bars right now they are doing this thing where she has to be pushed up with elbows locked on the bar, then extend one leg straight and have it then hang over the bar and the final thing is then she has to flip all the way over and back up (that is the scary part for her). Second scary event is on the beam (this scares me to death just looking at the thing) she has learned to do a handstand on the beam and then dismount (go from a handstand and jump to the ground to land) all on her own. Coach April use to spot her but says she is ready to do this on her own.

Yesterday I dropped the girls off and then went and worked out. I got back to watch about 30 minutes of practice and they were on the beam. April had a big talk with Tate AND SHE DID THE BEAM HANDSTAND WITH DISMOUNT ON HER OWN. Major accomplishment that she did this all on her own. April was with her the whole time of course but she refused to help her. I love how she was encouraging her the whole time and never let Tate back down from her fears. So, yesterday after practice Coach April talked to me about being a fearful gymnast and how she was like that and had several on the team like that. She has a saying for them that helps them pump themselves up and overcome their fears but it is to over Tate's head. So, she said we needed to find something for Tate to tell herself. She also explained to Taylor how fear was the enemy. The fear we have makes our mind tell us things that are not true....example.....I am going to fall off the bars and the mats will not be soft when they catch me and I will get hurt(Tate's exact fear).

Last night we came up with the scripture from Philipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". We talked about having God help us overcome our fears. I talked with Coach April this morning when I dropped Taylor off and told her we found a scripture verse for Taylor to say to herself. I told her she was having a little trouble remembering the whole thing so we would work on memorizing it. She asked what scripture and I started telling her and she was like "Oh, Philipians 4:13 not a problem I will help her with it don't worry." I wanted to cry I was so excited that her coach one, new the scripture and two, was excited about encouraging Tate to say it to herself to overcome her fears!

PRAISE GOD!